Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Snowmen Advent Garland

I had this idea a few months ago, &, I know it's a bit early to unveil Christmas-y stuff, but sometimes when I craft I just get too excited & hafta share right away!

The funny thing is, this snowmen advent garland was just gonna be a plain old plastic capsule advent garland until yesterday. I was just gonna hang up the capsules in a pretty little colorful row from some string & call it good. But, THEN, I hit some happy turbulence on my plane ride to Crafty Town.

In case you haven't figured it out yet, the snowmen are made from those plastic capsules you get from "gumball" machines. These large ones were 50cents each. So, step one in this project is to procure your capsules. I hit up a Walmart. (I haven't checked online for a source, but maybe ebay??) And, I'm not saying you won't look like a crazy lady popping all those quarters in the machines, spinning the handles & waiting with giddy claps for the prizes to come out. OK, so maybe I shouldn't have clapped so much. DO have a large sack or purse at the ready to hold all your trinkets.
You'll need to purchase 24 capsules. Beginning December 1st, you open one each day through Christmas Eve.

The next thing you'll want to do is to separate the lids from the bases. You'll be drilling two small holes into the lids of each capsule. I don't know what size drill bit I used. It doesn't REALLY matter. Mine was small---but not too small that I couldn't easily fit my cording through when I strung them all up.

Take your cord, or ribbon or twine or whatever you choose to string the capsules onto, & start adding your lids. You'll go down through the top & then up through the bottom. And you can cut your cord/ribbon/twine to whatever length you'd like.

After your cording is strung through, put some hot glue in the spot right in the center of the holes & add some pom poms. Try not to cover up the drilled holes with glue----so you can slide your snowman any which way if you need to, to adjust the position, etc.

The bases are clear-ish. If you want to maintain an air of mystery about what prizes are inside your advent garland, you'll have to cover that up somehow.
First, I took black puffy paint & made dollops for the eyes & mouth. Then, I cut out long skinny triangles from felt for the "carrot" nose. I hot glued those on.

Now it's time to go outside & paint! It doesn't matter if you do this step or the previous step first or second.
I bought the cheapest brand of WHITE spray paint at Walmart & also CLEAR SEALER. Spray one quick coat inside the bottom capsule. It doesn't have to be solid or perfect. When that is dry, spray another quick coat of the clear sealer. The white spray paint tends to get easily scratched on the plastic surface. The sealer helps to prevent scratches appearing so easily. Of course, you could spend a couple extra dollars & purchase Krylon spray paint made SPECIFICALLY for plastic surfaces & have no problem at all!
Another idea: Instead of painting inside, you can fill the capsule with white shredded crinkle paper. I know they sell it at Dollar Tree, among other places. Your little treasures will still stay hidden quite well!

When everything is dry, pop the lid & base together & you're done!! Isn't it adorable??!!
I'm so in love with this project.
Seriously.

Now, at 50cents each, it might seem kinda spendy to pay $12.00 for 24 capsules. BUT here's a tip: the toys are already inside! No need to go out & buy more trinkets or prizes! Of course, you can if you want. But remember, there's no need to spend a lot of money on little prizes. For me, advents are all about the waiting, the anticipation, the suspense, the surprise...

In fact, my 2 girls received ONE store-bought Barbie advent calendar a couple years ago. There were little prizes & Barbie accessories hidden behind each day's secret door. My girls swapped opening the prizes every other day. So, just because you have multiple kids doesn't mean you have to buy something for EVERYone, EVERY day! They can take turns getting the prize.

One of my favorite places to shop for tiny {& vintage-y} doo-dads is Tiny Things are Cute. They have a lot of fun things & you'll have fun lookin' around!

I love snowmen and snowflakes.........I am going to make a few of these!!!!! They are soooooooo adorable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I saw your snowman garland and loved it so I started looking for materials. I found those containers for alot better deal then going to gum ball machines and wanted to share. Enjoy! http://www.candymachines.com/Empty-Vending-Capsules-C99.aspx

I love this idea. Only I think I'll make them as ornaments and have them in a bowl and everyday my son can open one for the treat and hang the ornament on the tree. Then he can see the bowl getting empty everyday. Thank you for the idea.

You did good! lol....This was incredibly imaginative and fantastic. I may have to try this next year. I made one this year for my son by clothespinning some Christmas ideas and scripture onto cutout cardstock for each day. I like how it turned out, but I wanted room for goodies. You found a way to do that. Great job!

Super cute!! I love it! I don't have children yet but was at Tony's Pizza with a bunch of friends that do & their kids were going crazy getting toys from the vending machines. Of course the kids didn't want the containers but neither did the moms!!!?? I couldn't let them just go to waste.... My husband thinks I'm crazy because I am always wanting to find a use for other peoples "trash". I am NOT a hoarder - I am a recycler!!! I'm doing my part to save the planet. Thanks to you I'll have fun doing it! Hahaha.